General Information

First found in quantity in the tombs of its eponymous site, the ware is now known to have been distributed to select locales in regions farther south in the hill country (et-Tell/Ai) and to sites on the Mediterranean Littoral in the area of Tel Aviv, where it was especially popular for inclusion in burial caves. At present, despite its relative proximity, TFN Ware is unknown in the Jezreel Valley and regions farther north (Braun 2012a: 18-20).

Chronology: At Tell el-Far’ah North this ware does not appear in the same tombs as GBW types and so is clearly dated later. Quantities of it found there and at other sites, and sometimes differences in morphology, suggest it originated in a post early EB I horizon and may have continued to be produced for some length of time. However, it does not appear at sites of the latest EB I.

Basic Features: Two aspects allow these vessels to be identified as a “ware”, method of construction and fabric. These features could suggest one or even several ateliers of potters producing them. The very distinctive mode of production might even be suggestive of assembly line techniques.

The Basic Bowl: Sizes of TFN vessels were constrained by the mode of construction, which was based on a small bowl as a primary unit. They were used to fashion both open and closed types. The simplest examples maintained their morphological status, sometimes with added appurtenances such as handles of different mien, a sinuous profile or an everted rim finish. This last feature gives seems to have given these vessels the status of a luxury ware, which might indicate its popularity as grave goods, particularly in regions farther south where local pottery tended to be less aesthetically pleasing.

Morphology of vessels: Despite the constraints of the mode of production there is considerable variety in the morphological output. Aside from different bowl types there are almost biconical types with everted rim. Some have rounded contours and two opposing high loop handles. Others are relatively small and have ledge handles, horizontal looping handles and tiny lug handles with quite different placements. Two appear to be miniature copies of another type of jar (see below) with an almost vertical pillar spout (i.e., a small spout with a cup-like end) imitating a resting place for a juglet. Given its diminutive size, the suggestion is made that the tiny vessel with a spout may have functioned as a baby feeder. One spouted vessel, with unusual double stranded basket handle flanked by two small lugs from a tomb in Tel Aviv is the most elaborate in the group and suggests that it might have been devoted to someone of special status, although its recovery within a typical, multi-burial cave used over a period of time did not preserve that type of information.

Azor (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Tel Aviv, HaQiriya (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Tell el-Far'ah North (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Central Highlands)